Crested Coral

Crested Coral - Clavulina coralloides

Alternative names
Clavulina cristata
Description

A large branched coral, variable in colour from white to grey to a reddish-flushed brown.   The branch tips are usually pointed and serrated, but may be rounded.   It is difficult to verify forms with rounded branch-tips. 

Occasionally, specimens with grey or black colours, especially towards the base, can be found; this is caused by a microfungus Helminthosphaeria clavariarum. (see https://www.bioimages.org.uk/html/Helminthosphaeria_clavariarum.htm

Similar Species

The Grey Coral Clavulina cinerea is usually a darker grey and has rounded blunt branch-tips - but note that Crested Coral may also be greyish or blackish towards the base due to an infection from a microfungus.  The Wrinkled Club Clavulina rugosa is chalky white and usually unbranched or only slightly so.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Photograph in habitat, ensuring your images show the branch-tips.

Habitat

Mycorrhizal in woodlands or under trees

When to see it

Usually found from summer to early autumn

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

No additional images available for this species.

All NatureSpot records